ABSTRACT
Objective: To evaluate peri-implant health status in patients infected with corona-virus-disease-19 (COVID-19) and controls (individuals without COVID-19). Methods: This observational investigation was performed in adults with (test group) and without (control group) COVID-19 infection having at least one functional dental implant. Self-reported education status and daily frequency of toothbrushing and flossing was determined. A questionnaire was administered to record demographic data, brushing/flossing frequency and education status. Periodontal examination comprised of full-mouth assessment of clinical attachment loss (CAL), plaque index (PI), probing depth (PD), and gingival index (GI). Peri-implant PD, modified PI (mPI), and modified gingival index (mGI) was recorded. Loss of marginal and crestal bone around teeth and implants was also measured. Significance-level was established for P<0.05. Results: Seventy-three (41 males) and 71 (44 males) individuals were included in the test and control-groups, respectively. Average age of patients and controls were 44.6±5.2 and 40.1±3.1 years, respectively. University-level education was attained by 52 (75.3%) and 50 (70.4%) individuals in test and control groups, respectively. Seventy (95.9%) and 68 (95.7%) patients and controls were brushing twice a day. Once daily interproximal flossing was reported by 44 (60.3%) and 48 (67.6%) individuals in test- and control-groups. All participants had healthy periodontal and peri-implant tissues. Conclusion: The study indicates that there are no short-term adverse effects on the peri implant tissues due to acute COVID-19 infection, and further well controlled longitudinal studies are needed to evaluate the long terms effect of the infection on these tissues.
Fuente: International Dental Journal
Available online 1 December 2022
